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Dorothy Russell

Dorothy Russell

LISW, LCSW

Ohio

Therapist focused on practical change

Continue with Dorothy

At a glance

Credentials
LISW, LCSW
License
LCSW-C, Maryland / 24640; LCSW, Delaware / Q1-0012164; LISW, Ohio / I.2506441
Experience
7 years
Languages
English
Location
Ohio

Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.

    • Motivational approach
    • Values-based work
    • Practical steps

    About Dorothy

    Dorothy Russell is a licensed social worker with seven years of clinical experience who helps people manage stress, anxiety, addiction concerns, trauma and abuse, depression, and major life transitions. She aims to make the first step toward change feel achievable. Dorothy creates a calm, nonjudgmental place to talk about hard feelings so people can begin to sort next steps.

    She focuses on practical strategies that fit into everyday life. Sessions often include clear goals, small experiments between meetings, and gentle check-ins on progress. Dorothy draws on Motivational Interviewing to support readiness for change and uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ideas to help clients notice what matters most to them.

    Her way of working is collaborative and warm. She listens for what a person values, then helps shape actions that move them toward those values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools are used when patterns of thinking or behavior are getting in the way.

    Dorothy also brings client-centered and solution-focused practices into sessions. That means attention to the person’s experience and a focus on building practical, short-term steps when they’re useful. Over time those steps can add up to meaningful change.

    She is licensed in Ohio as LISW and LCSW and works with people from varied backgrounds, including those facing caregiver stress, family-of-origin issues, adoption and foster care concerns, postpartum depression, cultural and multicultural questions, and feelings of isolation.

  2. How these approaches work for online sessions

    Motivational Interviewing is a conversational method that helps people weigh their reasons for change. It focuses on building motivation and resolving mixed feelings so clients can move toward their goals. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people clarify values and take small committed actions even when difficult thoughts or feelings appear.

    These methods are collaborative. The therapist will work with each person to figure out which approach, or mix of approaches, feels most useful. That decision is based on the person’s needs, goals, and preferences rather than a one-size-fits-all plan.

    Confirm current session options before booking so you know how Dorothy is meeting clients now. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, like taking a shorter check-in during a work break or avoiding travel time. It can also allow someone to choose a session style that suits them best, whether they want more conversational goal-setting or structured skill practice.

  4. Areas of expertise

    Primary focus

    Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseDepressionCoping with life changes

    Additional focus areas

    AbandonmentAdoption and foster careBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsGuilt and shameImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMulticultural concernsPostpartum depressionPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSmoking / vaping cessationWorkplace issues

    Therapeutic approaches

    Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

    Experience

    7+ years

    Listed in

    Maryland, Delaware, Ohio

    Languages

    English

  5. Frequently asked questions

    What concerns does Dorothy help with?

    Dorothy works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, and coping with life changes. She also focuses on related areas like abandonment, caregiver stress, family-of-origin issues, and postpartum depression.

    How would you describe her therapy style?

    She keeps sessions collaborative and down-to-earth, listening first and then helping people try small practical steps. The approach aims to meet you where you are and build on your strengths.

    What is her background and experience?

    She has seven years of professional experience in clinical settings helping people with mood, trauma-related concerns, and addictive behaviors. That experience shapes a practical, goal-oriented practice.

    What credentials and location apply?

    She holds LISW and LCSW credentials and practices in Ohio. The credential abbreviations stand for Licensed Independent Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

    Which languages are offered for sessions?

    Sessions are offered in English.

    Can people outside the U.S. work with her?

    International clients are not currently accepted.

    How are costs and billing handled?

    Cost varies with location and the therapist’s scheduling arrangement; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

    What should I do to start therapy?

    Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist’s availability.

  6. Online talk therapy is not emergency or medical care. Stopping or cutting down alcohol or other drugs can be unsafe without medical advice. In immediate danger? Crisis numbers

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Dorothy Russell Continue with Dorothy